The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-04
A CHASE EXTRAORDINARY.


Written for The Constitution.
We loved the captains daughter, Jack and
I. That was not remarkable, but it was rather
s.. remarkable that we went on loving her for a
long time without any thought of being rivals.
We were innocent enough to confess the tender
passion to each other long before we had ac-
quired the necessary courage for confession
to the lady herself. We were rather un-
sophisticated pair. Jack had been brought up
at sea and l partially at sea and partially at an
out-of-the-way port of the sea.
When James Whitcomb Castlemon, ST.,
died and left 4 few hundreds to James Whit
comb Castlemon, Jr., the heir, who was none
other than myself, believed it incumbent on
him to see the world, and hed away to the
metropolis to begin with. Being sort of
Jonathan to Jack Nandegrift's David, / per-
suaded him to go with me, representing to
him that New York offered extraordinary in
JUDGEMENTS to seafarng men as well as others.
He was keeping bright look out for berth
when me met and simultaneously fell in love
with Margaret Sullinger, whose father was q
retired sea captain.
The lady displayed a gratifying but ap-
parently impartial warmth of feeling, and
Jack and regularly made our calls together
with refreshing innocence that harbored no
shought of rivalry or jealousy / do not know
Sghetherw had yet begun to realize that rivals
we must become in the natural order OF things,
when we were startled by wholly unexpected
turn of events.
/ strolled forth one afternoon, bent upon
making one visit alone to the captains apart
ments, though can safely say that was not
conscious Of any unkind motive affecting my
friend: but instead of the captains figure ap-
pearing as usual through foreground of lace
curtain at the window, the curtain was gone,
and piece of paper bearing the legend ITO
Let" stared at nae from the win
dow pane. I stood looking blankly
enough at the bit of paper when a ragged little
urchin, who must have been lying in wait for
me, darted out from somewhere, and after
eycing me quiZZically for q moment and being
apparently satisfied with the inspection, held
out note addressed to me. l opened it
eagerly and read:
NJ Castlemon: am unexpectedly called upon
to ST goodbye to you and your friend Papa has
stored everything away in the two sea chest and we
vii c OH The way to New Orleans in an hour. 1
had WGri Il of his intention until an hour ago.
We 80 TO friend at No. - B9ronne t Get.
MARGARET SDLLIN6EP.
In spite of my establishment my heart fell tc
beating when I came to that last sentence.
Gould 1 mistake the innocent insinuation it
conveyed? / was still devouring the contents
of the note when was startled by an excla-
nation from some one behind me. 1t was
Jack, who, with familiarity that would have
been offensive in any one else, had been read
ing the note over my shoulder. Now, should
not like to accuse anyone, much less an init
mate friend, OF any underhand motive, but
time and alone?
"What do you think of that ?" said 1, hand
ing him the note.
TT is devilish odd,, he replied. "What
could have induced the old fellow to slip his
cable and make off in this manner? Ill tell
you what, Castlemon, there's something deci-
dedly fishy in this business. l say, you don t
suppose the old skipper has got anything on
mis- conscience and is running away to keep
from getting hauled up and put in irons, do
you?"
81 have no doubt that Miss Sulinger would
be grateful to you for such complimentary
suspicion said I. 81 shall follow them to-
morrow 1 added.
"Shall you? So shall l."
"You? But l thought you were expecting
to get BERTH Don't you think it would be
foolish toto throw away your chances for
employment?'
AS have said before, jealousy had no place
In my heart and the incentive to this remon-
STRANGE was, am sure, kindly regard for the
welfare of my friend. L confess then that l
felt slightly offended when he made a facetious
reference to a canine that IS popularity supposed
to have taken up its residence in a manger,
and reiterated his determination of starting
forthwith to New Orleans.
"Want is not pressing us yet, Castlemon,
and where is the sailor that could resist the
temptation of such chase as this is likely to
proye-especially as there is prize money, as
one may say, at the end of it,"
l offered no farther remonstrance, perceiv-
IL
ately began making arrangements for pro-
tracted absence. But little preparation was
necessary for either Of us, though travelling
was much more serious thing in those days
than now, the period of which l write ante
dating the introduction of steam on the ocean,
and we began the journey the next day AMIGA
bly, enough. Our amicability continued until
we reached St. Louis from which place it was
necessary to continue our journey by steam
boat. We were forced to wait twenty-four
hours here, and Jack, who had been growing
restless from the time we arrived in the city,
had apparently worked himself up to a fever
heat by the time the stage that was to convey
US 10 the landing had put in an appearance.
81 say, Castlcmon," he burst out as the
porter who had announced the stage was re-
firing, eve are pair OF internal fools 10 be
running together on such an errand as this.
Let's settle this matter with pistols at ten
PAGES. We can do it without interference, in
this country"
OF course I thought he was Joking, and
looked up meaning to return some light an
over, but what ! saw in his face so startled me
that all thoughts Of joke was driven from
my mind. | could not believe that his sangu-
mary proposal was seriously meant, but there
was such look of genuine irri-
tation, and of something very ike vindictiye.